“Happily-ever-afters don't come in happily-every-days. They are found at the end of challenges-ever-met, promises-ever-kept, and tears-ever-wept.” ― Richelle E. Goodrich, Smile Anyway

Samuel is celebrating his thirteenth birthday and needless to say, he is ecstatic at the thought of entering teens. It is as if freedom is luring him and he is confident that he will be able to breathe better as air will be blasted on his lean structure with full slam making his feathers flutter in any direction he chooses to do so. He is beaming from ear to ear as he is confident that days coming ahead of him will be cheerful and pleasant since he will live life on his terms with least parental guidance.

On the other hand, his parents can sense what is coming next and even though they wear a smile, they are contemplative from within.

Graduation day from high school and Samuel is in high spirits as this is a big milestone in his life. Burning lamp till late night to complete assignments living amidst the excited life of teen parties and breaking all rules was secreting the adrenaline within him to keep him awake until dawn so that he could have a fine academic record in the thick of fun and boisterous outings with friends.

When asked upon, “How was a high school life?” He recollects all the fun, and magical memories made but are also quick to dawn upon the hard work that went into wearing this cape and black hat in order to make it to graduation. He has a plate that holds a slice of cake to rejoice the celebration, and comments, “It was not a cinch, and amidst the fun I had to slog to be here.” He added with a smile, “However, I am confident that it will be a blissful journey ahead.”

Dad crossed his finger while mom uttered, “Amen”

Years rolled by and he is seen having a pleasant evening with friends and family and a special friend by his side while holding his diploma, and even though he seems content but only his heart knows how he toiled to reach his destination. Young age leveraged him to party, and hold onto a part time job to pay his expenses. The endorphin secreted amidst all this chaos made him stride towards his mission.

He looks at his parents who as always wear a tolerant smile, and this gives him the curiosity, and after all the hoopla fizzes out, he approaches them, “I have my degree in hand accompanied by a job offer, and with Maria by my side “He continues with poise, “I am pretty sure things will be a smooth sail from now on?”

Dad puts his hand over his shoulder and replies, “It depends how you define a smooth sail, son”

Samuel lost his cool, “What do you mean dad? It is a mere common sense. We all want to have a happy life thereafter.”

Mom stares at his attitude, Samuel blushes and reiterates humbly.

“Sure, you could have a smooth sail of events thenceforth but, the question is” Dad pauses for a second, “Will you be happy?”

“What do you mean?” Samuel squints his eyebrows at that and continues, “I will have a job, which will give me the daily comforts that I need. A relationship to bend upon when in doubt. What else do I need?”

Dad replies with a smirk, “The comforts that you work for will be temporary son. There is much to life than money, success, relationships."

“What is that, dad?” Samuel is quick to interject.

“Excitement!” Dad grins while uttering the word.

Samuel swirls his head around as if to control his emotions, “I will have enough enthusiasm to work hard in order to enjoy the bounties that my paycheck can afford” he says with confidence.

Mom infiltrates, “Samuel we agree you have all the pieces that when put together will give you a happily ever after life. We actually wish that for you. But, do not get overwhelmed if you get surrounded by hurdles, dilemmas or any complication that could put your life or your relationship into a turmoil or halt your progress.”

She carries on with moist eyes, “As long as you open your arms to all kind of problems that come to you, and face them no matter what! You will have a happily ever after!”

Samuel got all the possible gyaan (knowledge) from these few sentences and embraced his parents.

Is there a happily ever after?

It depends how an individual defines the above term cause being in one state of emotion can get boring. Man needs excitement to carry the burden of his exoskeleton. Being surrounded by glee that is usually provided by the comforts of materialistic possessions could eventually make his graph of living a parallel line equation to the X-axis. This kind of line when seen in a heart monitor will be termed as dead.

Problems will come, as long as relationships are alive. Man should learn to suffice through them and live a happily ever after!

Three Steps to live a happily ever after life!

Accept what comes your way: Embrace the joys and sorrows that you tread upon. Clutching the dilemma will help you think of options. Procrastinating over them will just delay the cycle of thoughts.

Give Attention to the crisis: Shutting oneself out of the problem will just make it significant. Man is an intelligent soul to ponder on ways to come out of it. If there is a will, there is a way!

Communicate your problem with your friends/family you are comfortable sharing it with, and that can help give you ideas.

Ascend onto your life and harness it with the hope to live a happily ever after!

Comments 24 comments

This is like reading a larger blog, filled with wisdom and excellent advice. Well done my friend.

Ruchira 2 years ago from United States Author

:) could not think of anything enticing to keep the reader glued on the topic thus, the tale

thanks Bill

Ruchi Urvashi 2 years ago from Singapore

Enjoying reading the story and wise lessons. As my child grows up, she understands that happiness comes from inside. She knows that at any moment, no matter what is happening, she can choose to be happy.

Ruchira 2 years ago from United States Author

I agree Ruchi. Good to see you :)

always exploring 2 years ago from Southern Illinois

Ruchira, i didn't want the story to end. Samuel was so fortunate to have loving and caring parents. All of your reasons for living a happy life were good, esp. the one, sharing a crisis, keeping something bottled up inside makes it much worse. Thank you for the story and suggestions...

Ruchira 2 years ago from United States Author

Thanks Ruby. I agree with ought to open up with people whom we trust cause otherwise that problem could eat us alive :(

Thanks for your insight and stopping by!

Genna East 2 years ago from Massachusetts, USA

This is a wonderful story, with wisdom and love. Voted up. :-)

Ruchira 2 years ago from United States Author

Thanks Genna :)

Victoria Lynn 2 years ago from Arkansas, USA

Ruchira, you're so right in that we have to embrace what comes our way. That is really difficult sometimes, though! I love this hub as a reminder of all these things. I really enjoyed Samuel's story and the quotations you shared. A really lovely hub, Ruchira! Voted up and everything else (except funny)! :-)

Ruchira 2 years ago from United States Author

Thanks Vicki. Am glad you enjoyed it :)

sid 2 years ago

Loved your unique take on the prompt Ruchira. Very well done :)

ChristyWrites 2 years ago from British Columbia, Canada

Good advice here, Ruchira. I look forward to the future and more of your writing! The story of Samuel helps illustrate your point well.

Jackie Lynnley 2 years ago from The Beautiful South

I think we do realize this truth the older we get and wish we had sense to much younger but I guess we are just made that way. Thanks for sharing a great story; and important lessons. ^

Dim Flaxenwick 2 years ago from Great Britain

Wow!! This is so deep , and yet so obvious in a way if we are honest with ourselves.

One of the most interesting hubs l have read lately.

Hrishi 2 years ago

True that!

Ruchira 2 years ago from United States Author

Thanks Sid, Christy, Jackie, Dim and Hrishi

We all hope for a happy ending but gotta work along the lines to achieve it!

sitara nair 2 years ago

S

amuel

was so fortun

ate to have

wonde

rful pare

nts

lo

ed your take on the prompt

Ruchira 2 years ago from United States Author

Thanks Sitara for your feedback and stopping by :)

mathira 2 years ago from chennai

Ruchira, you are true when you say that acceptance is one way to being happy. Loved it.

Frank Atanacio 2 years ago from Shelton

I enjoyed this hub.. the advice and the guidelines you do these types of hubs very well Ruchira

DDE 2 years ago from Dubrovnik, Croatia

Sound advise here on communication, acceptance and attention, you made it quite clearly about how to live happily ever after A helpful and informative hub.Often all three aspects are lost.

FlourishAnyway 2 years ago from USA

Good guidelines. Life doesn't have to be perfect to enjoy it.

b. Malin 2 years ago

Interesting Hub Ruchira, on a fascinating subject. "How to Live Happily Ever After". It takes a lot of Love, patients, and knowing that everything is not always perfect...Life has it's imperfections.

teaches12345 2 years ago

Your story and following advice was a great way to engage the reader. I enjoyed the tale and your advice is excellent. I find that accepting what comes your way is the best way to achieve happiness. Your reaction to events and happenings is key in forming positive lifestyles and building character.